How comfortable (or un) is Southwest Airlines?
 

Have flown them a couple times, but not for a while and I don't think on any flight longer than about 2.5 hours. Now, we're contemplating going Oakland-Chicago on Southwest, but would like to know if they are any better/worse (leg and comfort-wise) than any other airline for that length of a flight?

If you are flying coach it is six of one, half dozen of another.

There isn't really any legroom in coach on any of the airlines.

Your best hope for a comfy seat is to be at the front of the line for the A group at the time of boarding. This way you might get a seat in the exit row. I was lucky enough to do this 2 weeks ago. Otherwise, SW is as good as any other coach seat.

Hi Go!!

You're basically right, except that JetBlue offers a hair more legroom in its mainline Airbuses the farther back you go in the cabin. Also, you can freely select exit row seats (subject to physical ability to manipulate the exit doors) online-- which was a blessing when I flew them nonstop Long Beach to JFK.

However, it's a moot point here, since JetBlue doesn't service Chicago airports. Dammit.

Southwest's service is one class-- Cattle. They fly one type of plane (Boeing 737) in six-per-row configuration; it's as cramped as coach on other airlines (say, American). United does have roomier Economy Plus on some routes, but....

Actually, some airlines, such as Jet Blue, offer more legroom than others.

Fly AA then Song and you'll see what I mean.

(I can't comment on Southwest; if it can't assign a seat, I can't purchase a ticket.)

Hi rj!

Hooters Air also offers more legroom but they don't fly cross Oakland-Chicago either.

I knew when I wrote that the airlines were all the same someone would come back and point out that I wasn't exactly correct.

Y'all suck:-D

I've passed up Frequent Flier free trips on United for Southwest Seattle to Chicago many times. I don't have data, but I believe SW has more legroom and also the air is fresher. Plus, I prefer Midway, as it is closer to my end destination.

Thanks, all! And especially Orcas for some encouraging sounds about that legroom.

Many of the SW planes I have flown lately have really nice new navy leather seats. Regardless of plane, they won't serve a meal, so brown bag it. The 'party sofas' at the very front face other so they may have more/less legroom depending upon your flight peers. Of course you can always choose exit door/aisle seat for maximum legroom.

he he

"..Hooters Air has more *leg* room.." are you sure it is for the legs?

he he

For me Southwest is terribly UNCOMFORTABLE< because I've gotten a cold or the flu EVERY time I've flown them for more than just a one-hour flight.

I've flown Southwest many times, and it's not bad at all.

wsox,

I think the newer SW planes don't have the "party sofas." Too bad for me, as they're great when flying with kids.

I like SW, and although it could be my imagination, it seems they do have a hair more leg room than most carriers. I really like the fact that they always seem to run on time, and in my experience, the staff is honest and cheerful, which is not the norm nowadays.

I just got a SW credit card because my last 3 flights with them were wonderful, on time, and comfy. They make overweight fliers buy 2 seats...is this your issue? I've been a Delta FF for years, yet am never flying them again because of so many disasters this year. I think SW is the smartest airline out there. Check in online before you leave and you will get an "A" boarding pass.

Thanks for the tip, LLinda! My "issue" is height and leg comfort, so what I'm hearing here is very heartening. THe decision's made - it'll be SW, just as soon as they start booking flights for next July.

at 5'4" (barely) it's never been an issue with me, LOL! But I did spend a miserable flight once beside or rather all over an extremely obese person who ate the entire time and couldn't even put the tray down. But that's another post. Seriously, SW is relaxed, lots of times they play games and tell jokes. We just flew in FL Friday in the face of Wilma; when we got there the pilot said "welcome to Hawaii!" Everyone cracked up. We flew them from Louisville to Oakland (stop in Chicago) with no problems except for the disastrous traffic getting in and out of Oakland. We've also flown SW to Sacramento, which was far easier. Do a Google search and see why they are making money while others go under. They are certainly more comfy than those Comair connections!!

6'4" and just flew SW from Sacto to Chicago.

Scored the exit rows at the stop in KC but the regular rows were OK for me, even when the person who was about 5'nuthin' immediately put the seat back when it was OK. :(

Flew SW to Vegas in August, ditto legroom. Loved United's Econ Plus as mentioned above.

I don't have a problem with leg room since the flights are cheaper, but all of a sudden this year Southwest is having lots of delays. I flew to Oakland from San Diego around the 10th of October not only was our flight 2 hours late on the way over on the way back every flight of Southwest was late at least 8 of them 2 to 5 hours. So think if you at the airport 2 hours early that leaves you sitting 4 to 7 hours.

In my opinion the only airline offering more leg space in economy is American Airlines. We flew from Brussels to Chicago and then to Denver with them and it's a big differencE;Worthwhile for the small surcharge. Paul

tovarich,

How long ago was that? AA took away their "More Legroom Throughout Coach" deal a few months ago, and they are now more cramped than ever. When they had MLTC I would pay extra to fly them every time, but no more!

JocelynP is right. AA's more legroom in coach is long gone for domestic flights and this year they have just reconfigured all of the planes for international flights to add more rows and take away the legroom. I am a vertically challenged person of only 5'3 and I feel like a sardine when I fly AA.

I have never had a bad flight on Southwest, that is not to say that they are the best but I personally would not hesitate to take them and I have flown the Oakland-Chicago flight and found it to be comfortable. I don't care for the lack of seat assignment but if you print out your boarding pass the night before your flight you always get an "A" boarding.

Re the comments on AA discomfort...perhaps we were lucky and got the "last" plane before it was reconfigured, but our AA flight, Boston-London in August was the most pleasant overseas flight I've ever been on. Sufficient legroom (unbelievable! almost as good as Midwest Express); we kept our 2-across seating from the time I first booked it a good six months earlier. And even a not-full plane since we flew out the end of August after most schools were back in session.

Just remember that they don't show movies, so bring something to keep you busy.

You were lucky indeed, tuckerdc. I flew DFW/CDG in January and I must have gotten the first plane to be reconfigured. :-s

Do you like paying the least amount of money to be "uncomfortable" or a LOT MORE money to be "uncomfortable?"

When my fiance and I flew back from LA on United we were given the option of upgrading to economy plus for a VERY reasonable price (arround $30 as I recall). It was well worth it!!! The extra leg room was fantastic. I ahve no idea what it take to book in economy plus in the first place, but if it's an option I highly recommend it.